MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is willing to sit down with those pushing to amend the Constitution, particularly shifting from unitary to federal system of government.
At the sidelines of the media briefing on the study conducted on the May 2016 national and local polls in Makati City on Friday, Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said they were just waiting to be invited.
“Kami naman naghihintay lang pero kung isasama kami sa mga pag-aaral tungkol sa ating Saligang Batas e definitely welcome natin ‘yan…Definitely welcome kung kami ay iimbitahan,” he added.
Bautista noted that they have been talking to individuals who are in favor of the change in the system of government.
“We have been in fact speaking to personalities who are involved in respect to federalism…we are abreast of the issues but I think for us to move forward we are awaiting for the draft so that we can have meaningful comment. Alam ninya naman mahirap pumunta sa isang party na hindi naman imbitado,” he said.
The poll body chief added that they already have an idea and thoughts on the plan, but they would also like to be included in the discussions and studies.
“Meron na kami preliminary ideas and thoughts kasi gusto din namin makita kung ano ba talaga ‘yung magiging direction. I guess ‘yun ang hinihintay natin…Ang gusto lang namin malaman first of all ano ‘yung anyo ng federalismo ang atng gustong tingnan at we can meaningfully comment on whatever suggestion,” he said.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed support on the plan to shift from unitary to federal system of government.
Under the said proposal, there will be two forms of government, the federal government and the regional governments.
In a federal form of government, matters that concern the entire country will belong to the federal government while the basic services to the people would be handled by the regional governments.
Several bills have already been filed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate pushing for the shift to a federal system. (Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)